Frappe (Coffee is like Love)

Prologue:

“One tall Java Chip Frappe for Buddy!”

I strode through the half empty Coffee Shop with the soporific ambiance, when the staff called out my name to claim my much-awaited iced-frothy, soul-soothing, body-awakening energizer--the Frappe.

It’s 7:30 in the morning and I just came from a strength-draining-song recording. I really need a break, good thing that I will have this aromatic experience for a re-charge.

Coffee is the world’s most popular beverage after water. As for me, I drink coffee as much as I drink water. You can find me in almost every coffee shop here in the Philippines, most especially the ones near the gig venues.

I drink coffee almost every waking hour of my life... in the morning, afternoon and before or after the gig... and now while I’m waiting for my best friend.

“O, kanina ka pa?” Nagulat ako nang bigla kong makita si Jan sa harap ko. Para akong nakatingin sa isang cellphone screen na biglang nagkaro’n ng notice na “insert simcard”.

“Obvious bang kararating ko lang?” Sinungitan na naman ako. Kahit kelan talaga, sarcastic ang babaeng ‘to.

“Maupo ka na.” Hindi ako galit, gano’n lang talaga ako magsalita.

“Opo, serrr...” Ang bulagsak at bitter n’yang sagot.

If I were to compare her with coffee, she’d probably be “Espresso”, make it “Quad-shot Espresso”. Matapang, prangka, loka-loka, lahat nang sabihin n’ya, mababara’t mababara ka. Parang lasa ng Espresso na nanonoot sa sistema ko, mapait.

“Lalim ng iniisip mo ah, si Cadi ba ‘yan?” Diretso. “Ayos na kayo?”

“I can’t answer your question.” I told her, playing it safe.

She grimaced at me and said, “Nako Buddy ah, sasabihin mo na naman, it’s complicated TM, ano ka Friendster??” Napakamot na lang ako sa ulo.

Ang hirap kasing ipaliwanag. It’s hard when you know that the affection you used to feel is slowly fading away... without knowing why.

Cadi... short for Cadbury na paborito ni Elise Roxette Villaflor kaya nga 'yun ang nickname nya simula high school. She’s so nice, caring, thoughtful, and pretty. She loves music as well. We have so many things in common. She’s like the White Mocha Frappe, parehas sila ni Jan na may pagka-rock but she’s a lot sweeter. ‘Yun nga lang, White Mocha is a bit less healthy, tulad ng naging outcome ng relationship namin, ‘di na healthy for the both of us.

Coffee is like love, it comes with different flavors, types, kinds or kung anumang tawag ninyo du’n. Strong, brewed, black, iced, seasonal, discontinued, and marami eh sasabihin ko pa ba lahat? It’s like love, maraming uri… love for God, for family, friends or for another individual.

You can be as soft and sweet as Chocolate Crème Frappe, like in love, minsan submissive ka. On the other hand, you can be as tough as Americano, minsan aggressive ka.

Para ding coffee from Starbucks, at times you can’t afford to buy yet you’ll do anything you can to take a sip of that coffee. Like the one you love, minsan hindi kayo bagay, minsan may minamahal ng iba o kaya naman hindi talaga s’ya para sa’yo pero sadyang mapilit ka.

Addictive ang coffee dahil sa content nitong caffeine, yes, parang love, pag sobra na, tama na, hindi na healthy.